Toothbrush



W. L. WEBSTER. TO0THBRUSH..

APPLICATION FILED cr.31, 1919.

1,378,157. Patented y 17, 1921.

By, kzls Afforne ys UNITED STATES? WILLIAM LLOYD WEBSTER, or NEW oniz,1v. Y.

may

TOOTHBRUSH.

Application filed October 31, 1919. Serial no. 334,794.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1-, WILLIAM LLOYD WEB- STER, of the city, county, andState of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement inToothbrushes, which invention is fully set forth in the followingspecification. V

One object of my invention is to provide a tooth-brush which will polishthe teeth without injuring the gums. An excellent material for thepurpose is readily available in the staple article known as absorbentcotton roll. This material is available in an absolutely sterilecondition, and at so low a price that it can be economically discardedafter use.

A further object of my invention is to provide for the rubbing-medium aholder which can be readily kept in a clean and sterile condition in thehome. The form of holder which I prefer has no part to wear out and,therefore, can be readily sterilized, and will not be discarded, hence,it may take the form of a permanent ornamented toilet-article.

A further object of my invention is to provide a holder which isspecifically adapted to receive readily and firmly retain during use apiece of absorbent cotton roll as the rubbing-medium, in such mannerthat the roll, after use, may be readily removed and discarded.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings, which disclose one embodiment, but only as an example for thepurpose of illustration. And it is to be distinctly understood that theinvention may take other forms than that shown, and is limited only bythe appended claims.

In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a side-elevation of a toothbrush embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side-elevation of the same, but partly in section;

Fig. 3 is a section of the line 2; and

Fig. 4 is a view showing thepreferable refilling rubbing-medium.

In the drawings, the same reference-numerals refer to the same partsthroughout the several views.

Specification of Letters Patent.

A handle 5 of the usual configuration 1s provided atone end with one ormore sockets 6. These sockets may be formed 1n. a metallic member 7which is securely fastened to the handle 5, or may be made integral withthe handle 5, as desired.

The socket or sockets are internally threaded, as at 8. These threadshave a high pitch so as'to afford considerable space between adjacentthreads. The sockets are also preferably tapered so that the outerportion or mouth of the socket has a larger diameter than'the innerportion.

As previously stated, the preferable re-fillmg element is absorbentcotton roll, 9-10, as illustratedin Fig. 4. This roll can be bent uponitself centrally, and then readily forced, by a screwing movement, intothe threaded sockets 6, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. its mouth toreadily receive the middle or doubled-over portion of the roll. Whenthis roll is forced into the socket and twisted or screwed at the sametime, it passes down to the bottom of the socket as shown in Figs. 2 and3, and is securely held in place by the screw-threads. As thesescrew-threads are preferably tapered, the cotton is thus securelycompressed into the bottom of the socket so that it cannot be easilypulled out. After use, however, it is readily removable, by merelyunscrewing the wad, which can then be discarded and the handlesterilized.

I have found that by the use of this type of tooth-brush the teeth arepolished and the gums massaged without injuring them as does a bristletooth-brush, and that no foreign material is deposited between theteeth.

Instead of internal threads 8, one or Patented. May 17, 1921.,

The socket is made large enough at more internal projectionsmay besupplied to the inside of sockets 6 adapted to engage a wad of absorbentcotton roll inserted into material, said handle being provided with aplurality of tapered screw-threaded sockets arranged side by side nearone end thereof,

each of said units being removably secured in one of said sockets bybeing twisted thereinto.

2. In a tooth-brush, the combination with a handle, a tapered socketcarried by the handle near one end thereof, of means within the socketfor the securement of a doubledover piece of absorbent cotton roll r011may be presented in operative position.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification.

W. LLOYD WEBSTER.

